The goals of the 1992 fieldwork at F. E. Warren
Air Force Base (AFB) were to: (1) determine the extent of the buried portion
of site 48LA277 to the south; (2) expand samples of diagnostics, tools, and
subsistence
remains at 48LA277; and (3) examine locales geo-morphologically similar to
48LA277 to determine whether similar areas were used in similar ways.
The southern extent of 48LA277 was explored with two backhoe trenches. Four
additional buried features were located at the north end of Trench 1. Also in Trench
1 were fluvial deposits associated with the location of Crow Creek on the north
side of the valley. The southern extent of the prehistoric occupation may have
varied slightly as the creek meandered to the north and back south, but the site
appears to end in Trench 1 south of Feature 9. Four additional backhoe trenches
yielded further information on prehistoric landscapes.
To expand the sample of diagnostics and subsistence remains, 10.8
m³ of the site were excavated. Seven features were excavated, yielding additional radiocarbon dates as well
as charred macrobotanical remains. The consistent presence of charred Chenopodium
seeds in the features suggests that seeds were processed at the site. Four
additional projectile points, including both Late Archaic and Late Prehistoric
styles, were located, as well as additional Woodland ceramics.
Investigations were also conducted at other sites on the north side of Crow Creek, including 48L
A247, 48LA250, 48LA265, and 48LA450. Much of this area is extremely disturbed
and appears to have been worked with heavy machinery. However, at 48LA247, there
appears to be the potential for additional subsurface, prehistoric deposits.
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